Category: blog

  Home practice is a crucial component of pediatric speech therapy because it helps reinforce the skills learned in sessions and supports consistent progress outside of therapy. In my opinion, calling it “home practice” instead of “homework” is key in keeping kids motivated and engaged, as it avoids the negative connotations associated with homework. Home practice can be made fun and interactive, turning it into an enjoyable activity rather than a chore. When children feel involved and excited about practicing at home, they are more likely to carry over what they’ve learned and make meaningful improvements. It creates an opportunity for both children and their families to bond, and it helps reinforce the idea that learning is a continuous, fun

Interactive Activities on PBSKids (pbskids.org/parents) that Foster Language Development, Social Skills, and Increased Independence in Children: Rosie Care: https://pbskids.org/rosiesrules/games/rosie-care Help Rosie take care of animals Skills targeted: Following directions, sequencing, problem solving Babysitting Squee: https://pbskids.org/jellybenandpogo/games/babysitting-squee Help Jelly, Ben, & Pogo get Squee to sleep Skills targeted: Following directions, problem solving, vocabulary skills  Super Duper Halo-Halo: https://pbskids.org/jellybenandpogo/games/halo-halo Help Jelly, Ben, & Pogo find ingredients to make the Filipino dessert, Halo-Halo Skills targeted: Following directions, sequencing, vocabulary skills Riding with Rosie: https://pbskids.org/rosiesrules/games/riding-with-rosie Help Rosie complete activities of daily living across the community Skills targeted: Following directions, problem solving, vocabulary skills

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and adventure. It is the perfect time to introduce little ones to books that celebrate nature, animals, and new beginnings. *”The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle This book follows the journey of a tiny caterpillar as it eats its way through different foods before transforming into a butterfly. *”Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert This book introduces children to the magic of gardening and showcasing how seeds grow into colorful flowers. *”The Tiny Seed” by Eric Carle Another Carle favorite, this book follows a small seed’s journey as it travels through the seasons and grows into a towering flower.  *”The Golden Egg Book” by Margaret Wise Brown This story follows a bunny

Our team member Holly and her son love to read together! Here are some of their favorites along with some language enrichment ideas! My son has been so into a book entitled Mail Duck.  This adorable story is about a postal service duck who delivers mail to his friends.  The story has great rhymes and shapes and colors you can highlight with your child as you read.  Also a bonus it has lift flaps!  What kid doesn’t love that!  Mail Duck is written and illustrated by Erica Sirotich Another great book – Moon (a peek a through book) by Britta Teckentrup is a book that highlights the phases of the moon and its influence of various animals.  The book contains

  Often, when we think about play-based therapy activities, we associate them with young children. However, Claudia Doan writes an insightful article on how play-based approaches can be highly beneficial for older students, providing valuable opportunities for learning. While many older students are typically interested in video games and sports, Doan discusses how engaging in playful activities can enhance motivation, participation, and the generalization of skills.  In my own experience, I’ve observed how these activities foster friendly competition between the therapist and the student. The article highlights some excellent examples of dramatic, constructive, and exploratory play. Below are a few session ideas that I have brainstormed and worked with in the past: Session Ideas: Dramatic Play: Game Show (e.g., Jeopardy) Targets:

Winter is finally here, which means beautiful snowy days, building snowmen, and — of course — warm cups of hot chocolate! This few-second self-regulation activity brings up the image of a warm cup of hot chocolate and is a quick way to send oxygen to the frontal lobe, helping us parents and our children create a sense of calm and focus. 1. Cup your hands together, as though you are holding a mug of delicious hot chocolate. 2. Bring the “cup” to your nose and breathe in deeply, as though you are smelling the “hot chocolate.” 3. Blow out through pursed lips, as though to cool off your hot chocolate to make it ready for sipping. Repeat this for 3-5

The New Year is a great time to teach kids the value of goal setting. It’s a chance to practice and build skills such as planning, persistence, and self-reflection while boosting their confidence. Tips for Goal-Setting with Kids: Explain Goals Simply Discuss what goals are and why they’re important. Keep Goals Age-Appropriate Tailor goals to your child’s age. Younger kids can aim for simple goals, like reading a new book, while older kids can tackle longer-term objectives. Write It Down Have kids write their goals, draw their goals, or create a vision board. Celebrate Progress Acknowledge milestones to keep them motivated, whether through words of encouragement or small rewards. Stay Flexible Help kids adapt their goals if needed. Flexibility is a valuable skill for overcoming challenges.

Parenting is one of the most challenging, even if rewarding, endeavors a person can undertake. Parenting a child with special needs brings its own unique demands. This is why practicing self-care is crucial to prevent burnout. And when I say “practicing,” that is exactly what it is — an intentional daily practice. Here is a few examples of ways parents can “care” for themselves so they can be the best and healthiest person (and parent): – Connect: connect with family, friends, or other support networks on a regular basis (even if it’s just a short phone call, text, or a quick coffee date or walk) – Take care of your body: eat healthy food, exercise, get as much rest/sleep as

Valentine’s Day is an excellent opportunity to engage children in interactive language activities. These activities encourage kids to express themselves, expand their vocabulary, and strengthen their communication skills.  1. Valentine’s Vocabulary Hunt Create a word scavenger hunt with a Valentine’s Day twist! Write Valentine-themed words like “love,” “heart,” “friendship,” and “kindness” on small cards, and hide them around the room. Provide kids with a checklist and challenge them to find and talk about what each word means. 2. Love Letter Writing Encourage kids to write letters to someone they care about. It could be a family member, friend, teacher, or even a pet! Provide paper, stickers, and markers to make their letters extra special. For younger children, provide sentence starters

Dinner time is a special moment for children, adults, and especially families. It provides an opportunity to connect, share stories about the day, and enjoy each other’s company. While mealtime may look different for every family, there are universal ways to promote communication in the kitchen. This month, The ASHA Leader published an article showcasing how an SLP uses culinary instruction to help children build vocabulary, problem-solving abilities, and language skills. This post aims to provide families with practical strategies to promote expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language skills at home. Strategies to Enhance Communication in the Kitchen: Descriptive Language: Encourage children to engage all their senses when describing ingredients. Ask them to talk about the appearance, texture, smell, and taste